While in hospital

Pharmacy

Please bring a list of all medicines you take and any recent changes that have been made. This includes all prescription medicines and those purchased in a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. These medicines will be reviewed by your treatment team and then given to hospital staff for safe keeping during your hospital stay. All of your medicines are provided as part of your care while you are an inpatient. Do not take any medicine from your own supply while in hospital, as this will interfere with your treatment. Please advise us of any unexpected or allergic type reactions you have had to any medicine in the past.

Family spokesperson

When you are ill, family and friends naturally want regular updates on your progress. However, frequent enquiries to the ward can make it difficult for staff to spend time caring for patients. To avoid this, please nominate one person to be the main contact who can keep everyone updated on your progress.

We are a smokefree health service

Barwon Health is a totally smokefree health service which means smoking is not allowed within the grounds and facilities of all Barwon Health sites, including the hospital. You will receive appropriate assistance with your smoking while you are admitted, including nicotine replacement therapy if appropriate. We suggest this is also a good opportunity to consider the health benefits of quitting and to make the most of the advice and support available within our service.

Smoking and your operation

You should stop smoking for at least 24 hours prior to surgery, longer if possible. Smoking can cause problems during the anaesthetic, and can delay wound healing post operatively. If you need help to stop smoking please contact QUIT or the Barwon Health Be Smokefree Clinics, or speak to someone at the pre-admission service on 4215 1627.

Teaching

An important function of this hospital is teaching medical and other health care students. We try to coordinate these programs so that no patient is seriously inconvenienced. You may be asked to participate in the program. We believe you will appreciate the importance of this training and hope you will be able to assist us with your co-operation. If you do not wish to participate please see the Nurse Unit Manager.

Spiritual Care

Chaplains are available to support patients, relatives and staff. Barwon Health chaplains represent all Christian denominations and world faiths. Please ask a member of the ward staff to arrange for a chaplain to visit you. The hospital's multi-faith Spirituality Centre is located on level 3 of the Bellerine Centre, next to Admissions.

Alcohol

Alcohol cannot be brought into the hospital.

Electrical appliances

Due to the potential fire risk, you must ask ward staff before you bring in personal electrical equipment such as hair driers, portable radios or CD players.

Meals

Every day you will be given a menu card to order ahead for three meals. Your meals will be chosen for you if you are unavailable or unable to choose for yourself. If you are in theatre or having tests, your chosen meal may be altered automatically to fit in with your schedule. Please tell your doctor or nurse if you have special dietary or religious requirements and you will be referred to a dietician. Due to food safety regulations, patients should not bring in food from outside that needs to be heated. Food to be served cold must be refrigerated.

Telephones

There is a patient phone at most overnight bed locations. Calls from outside the hospital between the hours of 8:00am and 10:00pm can be directed to all patients by ringing (03) 4215 0000. Telstra Phone Away Cards can be issued by Patient Accounts on level 3 for patients wishing to make calls from the hospital. The use of mobile phones is permitted in the public areas (lounges, waiting areas, corridors etc) so long as there is no operating medical equipment within two metres (due to possible interference).

There are public phones on all floors of the hospital for use by patients and visitors.

Television/radio

Bedside televisions are available for hire, this service is provided on a user pay basis and managed by a company external to the hospital. Please ask your ward clerk for a brochure outlining services and charges.

Wi-Fi

Valuables and personal items

Please do not bring jewellery, money or valuable personal items to hospital, except small amounts of change for newspapers or other small necessities. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to your property.

Mail

Mail is delivered each weekday (excluding public holidays). All correspondence should be addressed with your given name, surname, room or ward number and WING on the envelope.